Vehicle Communication System

ABSTRACT

A vehicle communication system detects the presence of a passenger wearable communication device. The system receives audio signals from multiple sources inside or outside of a vehicle. The system processes the signals before routing the signals to multiple destinations. The destinations may include wearable personal communication devices, front and/or rear speakers, and/or a remote mobile device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/492,675, entitled“Vehicle Communication System,” filed Jul. 25, 2006, which in turnclaims the benefit of priority from European Patent Application No.05016443.3, filed Jul. 28, 2005.

Each of the above-described applications is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to audio signal processing, and more particularly,to a vehicle communication system.

BACKGROUND ART

1. Technical Field

The invention relates to audio signal processing, and more particularly,to a vehicle communication system.

2. Related Art

Rapid advances in technology have lead to the adoption of extensiveaudio, video, and information systems in vehicles. The systems outputnavigational assistance, traffic reports, reports on vehicle status,play music, and play videos. The use of some many devices can create thedevices, along with the configuration of a vehicle passengercompartment—which can result in complex reverberations and may besusceptible to transient vehicle noises.

To improve vehicle communications, some vehicles incorporate specificvehicle communication systems. A vehicle communication system mayreceive audio data representing a passenger's speech, process thereceived audio data, and redirect the processed audio data to vehiclepassengers through vehicle speakers. Due to the positioning of audioinputs, the shape of the passenger compartment, and the configuration ofthe vehicle speakers, some systems may generate acoustic feedback.

In some instances, suppression and/or compensation filters are used toreduce feedback. The use of suppression and/or compensation filters maybe complex and may require reconfiguration. When reconfigurations arenot performed quickly, audible interference may be passed to thelistener. As a result, some vehicle communication systems may reproducespeech signals that are difficult to understand.

Therefore, a need exists for an improved vehicle communication system.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The vehicle communication system improves in-vehicle communications. Thesystem detects the presence of a wearable communication device. Thesystem may receive audio data from multiple sources inside or outside ofa vehicle and may selectively route the audio data to multipledestinations that may include wearable personal communication devices,front and/or rear speakers, and/or a remote mobile device. A wearablepersonal communication device may transmit and/or receive audio datato/from sources within the vehicle or outside of the vehicle.

A vehicle communication system includes a signal processing logic and acontroller in communication with the signal processing logic. The signalprocessing logic receives, processes, and outputs audio data. Thecontroller detects a wearable personal communication device within thevehicle and may selectively route the output audio data to a detectedwearable personal communication device and/or through the vehicle'saudio system.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages will be, or will become,apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the followingfigures and detailed description. It is intended that all suchadditional systems, methods, features and advantages be included withinthis description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protectedby the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The system may be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings and description. The components in the figures are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingthe principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, likereferenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout thedifferent views.

FIG. 1 shows a vehicle communication system.

FIG. 2 is a vehicle communication system within a vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a vehicle communication system within a vehicle.

FIG. 4 is a vehicle communication system within a vehicle.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate vehicle communication system.

FIG. 6 shows a memory that stores protocol data.

FIG. 7 is a process in which a vehicle communication system exchangesdata with a wearable personal communication device.

FIG. 8 is a process that recognizes a wearable personal communicationdevice.

FIG. 9 is a process that identifies the location of a wearable personalcommunication device.

FIG. 10 is an alternative process that identifies the location of awearable personal communication device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

A vehicle communication system may detect the presence of one or morewearable personal communication devices (“communication device”). Basedon the location of the communication devices, the vehicle communicationsystem may either physically or virtually (e.g., through software)decouple vehicle inputs and/or vehicle outputs. The inputs and/oroutputs may be positioned near a detected communication device. When acommunication device is detected, the vehicle communication system mayestablish a communication path with the detected communication device.The vehicle communication system may receive audio data from acommunication device, a vehicle input, and/or a vehicle informationsource. The vehicle communication system may transmit audio data to acommunication device, a vehicle output, and/or a vehicle informationsource. Because some communication devices are wearable, an input and/oroutput associated with the communication device may be positioned closerto a user then an input and/or output within the vehicle. Therefore,audio data received from a communication device may have an increasedsignal-to-noise ratio, and audio data output to a communication devicemay be played at an increased volume with little or no effect feedback.

FIG. 1 shows a vehicle communication system 100. The vehiclecommunication system 100 may include hardware and/or software that iscapable of running on one or more processors in conjunction with one ormore operating systems. The system may include signal processing logic102 which may receive audio data from one or more inputs, and transmitsaudio data through one or more outputs. The signal processing logic 102may communicate with other devices through an Input/Output (“I/O”)interface 104. The I/O interface 104 may accept digital or analog audiodata, and may communicate with other devices through wired or wirelessconnections.

In FIG. 1, the I/O interface 104 may communicate with a vehicleinformation source 106, a vehicle input 108, a vehicle output 110,and/or an on-board computer 112. A vehicle information source 106 mayinclude a radio receiver, a television receiver, a compact cassetteplayer, a compact disc player, a digital video disc player, a videocassette player, a personal computer, a video game console, a telephone(mobile or fixed), a navigation system, or any other device thattransmits and/or receives audio data. The number of vehicle informationsource 106 devices may vary.

A vehicle input 108 may include a microphone or a moveable media thatdetects sound waves and converts the sound waves into electrical energy,such as a microphone. A vehicle output 110 or loudspeaker may convertelectrical energy into sound waves at low, mid-range, and/or highfrequencies. The signal processing logic 102 may receive, process,and/or output audio data in either a digital or analog format. Thesignal processing logic 102 may include an analog-to-digital converter114 and a digital-to-analog converter 116. These converters may be usedby the signal processing logic 102 to convert the audio data into adesired format.

The I/O interface 104 may also facilitate communications between thesignal processing logic 102 and a vehicle on-board computer 112, such asan electronic control module, a body control module, or an after marketunit that is capable of communicating with the existing circuitry withina vehicle using one or more allowable protocols. Some protocols that theI/O interface 104 may process may include 1850VPW, J1850PWM, ISO,ISO9141-2, ISO14230, CAN High Speed CAN, MOST, LIN, IDB-1394, IDB-C,D2B, Bluetooth®, TTCAN, TTP, or FlexRay®.

Audio data received by the signal processing logic 102 may be stored ina memory 118. The signal processing logic 102 may access the memory 118asynchronously or synchronously through one or more bi-directionaland/or one or more uni-directional buses. The one or more buses maytransmit data in parallel or series. The memory 118 may be partially orwholly a Read Only Memory (“ROM”) a Random Access Memory (“RAM”), or anyother type of volatile and/or non-volatile storage space.

A controller 120 (e.g., processor, microprocessor, microcontroller,etc.) may communicate with the signal processing logic 102 and/or atransmission and/or reception device 122, such as a separate transmitterand/or receiver or a transceiver. The transceiver 122 may process codedand/or uncoded data representing audio data or control data.Transmissions between the transceiver 122 and a communication device mayuse one or more wireless protocols, such as Bluetooth®, 802.11b,802.11j, 802.11x, Zigbee, Ultra Wide Band, Mobile FI, Wireless LocalArea Network (“WLAN”), and/or Infrared Data Transmissions which mayinclude the Infrared Data Association IrDa 1.0 standard which mayprovide high transfer rates, or the Infrared Data Association IrDa 1.1standard which may provide higher transfer rates.

Through the transceiver 122, the controller 120 may exchange controldata in half-duplex or full-duplex with a communication device. Thecontroller 120 may analyze control data it receives to determine thetype of wireless protocol being used by the communication device (e.g.,whether the vehicle communication system 100 recognizes thecommunication device). For instance, the controller 120 may access thememory 118 asynchronously or synchronously through one or morebi-directional and/or unidirectional buses. Data may be transmittedbetween the controller 120 and the memory in parallel or series. Thecontroller 120 may compare some or all of the received control data topre-stored protocols recognized by the vehicle communication system 100.If a match is identified, the controller 120 may transmit anacknowledgement to the communication device. If after cycling throughthe pre-stored protocols, no match is found, the controller 120 mayindicate that the vehicle communication system is not pre-programmed torecognize the communication device. This signal may be transmitted to auser through an output device or a vehicle information source 106 whichmay prompt a user to enter configuration information.

Additionally, the controller 120 may analyze some or all of the receivedcontrol data to determine communication device parameters. Thecommunication device parameters may include information such as acommunication device's wireless signal strength and/or the device'sconfiguration (e.g., whether the communication device is configured withan input, such as a microphone; an output, such as a loudspeaker; orboth). The controller 120 may use these parameters alone or in additionto other vehicle sensor data, such as weight sensors that may identifywhere passengers are positioned within the vehicle, to configure thevehicle communication system 100.

For instance, the controller 120 may compare a communication device'ssignal strength to one or more threshold values. The result of thecomparison may indicate to the controller 120 the location of thecommunication device within the vehicle. Based on the location of adetected communication device, the controller 120 may transmit a logiccontrol signal to the signal processing logic 102. The logic controlsignal may indicate which vehicle microphones 108 and loudspeakers 110are to be decoupled, and which channels of the transceiver 122 should beused to communicate with a detected communication device.

FIG. 2 shows a vehicle communication system 100 within a vehicle 200. InFIG. 2, one communication device is detected. The vehicle 200,comprising a device to transport persons and/or things, may include anenclosed compartment 202. The enclosed compartment 202 may be dividedinto different zones, such as a front zone 204 and a rear zone 206. Afirst passenger 208 is positioned in the front zone 204 while a secondpassenger 210 is positioned in the rear zone 206. Situated in both thefront zone 204 and the rear zone 206 are a vehicle input 108, such as amicrophone, and a vehicle output 110, such as a loudspeaker. Themicrophone 108 and loudspeaker 110 of both the front 204 and rear 206zones may be integrated and may be in communication with the signalprocessing logic 102. In FIG. 2, the I/O interface 104 is shown as aunitary part of the signal processing logic 102. Transceivers 122 arepositioned to receive and/or transmit data between the signal processinglogic 102 and a communication device 212.

In FIG. 2, the communication device 212 may be a wireless headset, awireless telephone headset, a hands-free device, or other wearabledevice that includes an input and output device. The communicationdevice 212 may include a power supply, a memory, signal processinglogic, a transceiver a transmitter and receiver, and/or an input deviceand an output device, such as a microphone and loudspeaker,respectively. Data transmitted between the communication device 212 andthe signal processing logic 102 is shown as data link 214. The data link214 may be a bi-directional link or may include separate transmit andreceive links. The data transmitted through the data link 214 mayinclude control data and/or audio data transmitted according to one ormore wireless protocols. In one system, the data link 214 may includeradio frequency signals broadcast over a short distance, such as lessthan or equal to about 10 meters, and in the Instrumentation Scientificand Medical (“ISM”) frequency band (e.g., 900 MHz, 1.8 GHz, 2.4 GHz, or5.8 GHz) with a fast frequency hopping method of about 1600 frequencychanges per second to provide a relatively high interference resistance.In other implementations, the data link 8 may include IrDa 1.0 or IrDa1.1 infrared data transmissions.

In FIG. 2, the front zone 204 microphone 108 and loudspeaker 110 aredecoupled from the signal processing logic 102. In this statesubstantially no audio data is received at the front zone 204 microphone108 near the communication device 212. Similarly, substantially no audiodata is output from the front zone 204 loudspeaker 110 near thecommunication device 212. A microphone 108 and loudspeaker 110 may beidentified near or by a communication device 212, based on the locationof the communication device 212 determined by the controller 120.Additionally or alternatively, a microphone 108 and loudspeaker 110 maybe identified near or by a communication device 212 when the distancebetween a microphone 108 and/or loudspeaker 110 to the communicationdevice 212 is less than the distance to other microphones and/orloudspeakers within the vehicle compartment 202.

Since the microphone 108 and loudspeaker 110 near the communicationdevice 212 have been decoupled from the signal processing logic 102,audio data is received from and transmitted to the communication device212 through the data link 214. Because no communication device wasdetected near the rear passenger 210, the rear zone 206 microphone 108and loudspeaker 110 remain in communication with the signal processinglogic 102.

Audio data from the front passenger 208 is received by the signalprocessing logic 102 through the data link 214 and is provided to therear passenger 210 through the rear zone 206 loudspeaker 110.Additionally, audio data from any vehicle information source may be sentto the rear passenger 210 through the rear zone 206 loudspeaker 110.Audio data from the rear passenger 210 may be received by the signalprocessing logic 102 through the rear zone 206 microphone 108 and issent to the front passenger 208 through the data link 214. Additionally,audio data from any vehicle information source may be sent to the frontpassenger 208 through the data link 214.

Because the microphone 108 and loudspeaker 110 located near the detectedcommunication device 212 may be decoupled from the signal processinglogic 102, feedback effects at this location may be substantially orcompletely eliminated. Consequently, the signal processing logic 102 maybe simplified, and therefore more complex elements such as compensationand/or suppression filters may not need to be included in the signalprocessing logic 102.

FIG. 3 shows a vehicle communication system 100 within a vehicle 200. InFIG. 3, the vehicle communication system 100 detects communicationdevices 212 in both the front zone 204 and the rear zone 206. Thevehicle communication system 100 may decouple the microphone 108 andloudspeaker 110 in both the front 204 and rear 206 zones. Audio data istransmitted to and received from the communication device 212 located inthe front zone 204 through the data link 214. The audio data received bythe first passenger 208 may represent audio signals generated by avehicle passenger, a vehicle information source, and/or an externalsource. The vehicle passenger may be the second passenger 210 wearing acommunication device. Similarly, audio data is transmitted to andreceived from the communication device 212 located in the rear zone 206through a data link 300. The audio data received by the second passenger210 may represent audio signals generated by a vehicle passenger, avehicle information source, and/or an external source. The vehiclepassenger may be the first passenger 208 wearing a communication device.The data links 214 and 300 may operate according to a common protocol,or may operate through different protocols. In FIG. 3, the I/O interface104 is shown as a unitary part of the signal processing logic 102.

FIG. 4 shows a vehicle communication system 100 within a vehicle 200. InFIG. 4, the vehicle communication system 100 detects a communicationdevice 400 in the rear zone 206 that does not include an input device.The communication device 400 may comprise a hearing aid or anotherwearable receiver, and may include a power supply a memory, signalprocessing logic, and a transceiver or transmitter and receiver. In FIG.4, the signal processing logic 102 receives audio data from themicrophones 108 in both the front 204 and rear 206 zones and transmitsaudio data to the loudspeakers 110 in both zones. The signal processinglogic 102 transmits audio data to the communication device 400 over adata link 402. The data link 402 may support one or more wirelessprotocols. In FIG. 4, the I/O interface 104 is shown as a unitary partof the signal processing logic 102.

In some vehicle communication systems 100 the vehicle input 108 mayinclude directive microphones, or microphone arrays. Directivemicrophones may use a directive polar pattern to receive a substantialportion of a passenger's verbal utterance from a specified area whilesubstantially rejecting or dampening signals outside of the samespecified area. A vehicle communication system utilizing a microphonearray may exploit a signal lag from direct and reflected speech signalsarriving at separate microphones that are spaced apart.

Vehicle communication systems 100 may utilize wireless and wiredconnections. In some systems, ports or jacks may used within thevehicle. These ports or jacks may be connected with the vehicle'scommunication bus and may facilitate the exchange of audio data betweena communication device and the vehicle communication system 100. In somesystems, a vehicle communication system controller may analyze datareceived from the communication bus to determine the location of acommunication device and/or a communication device configuration.

Other vehicle communication systems 100 may receive information throughan on-board computer 112 or a vehicle information source 106. Theinformation may define the type of communication device (e.g., wired orwireless), the location of a communication device within the vehicle,and if necessary the wireless protocol used by a communication device.Still other vehicle communication systems 100 may include a switch thatmay be actuated automatically or manually, by a user, to turn off avehicle microphone 108 and/or vehicle loudspeaker 110 from the signalprocessing logic 102. The vehicle communication system 100 may beemployed in automobiles, trains, aircrafts, or any other vehicle whichmay transport persons and/or things.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate vehicle communication system 500. In FIG. 5, asignal processing logic 502 includes controller 504, voice control logic506, and external transceiver 508. The controller 504 may provide thevoice control logic 506 audio data processed by the signal processinglogic 502. The audio data received by the voice control logic 506 may beused to control various elements of a vehicle, such as a radio receiver,a television receiver, a compact cassette player, a compact disc player,a digital video disc player, a video cassette player, a personalcomputer, a video game console, a telephone, a navigation system, awindow, mirror, an entertainment system, and/or climate control system.Additionally, the controller 504 may control the signal processing logic502 to transmit audio data to or receive audio data from externaltransceiver 508. The external transceiver 508 may communicate with aremote party located outside of the passenger compartment 202 using amobile or fixed audio device. Moreover, the controller 504 may beconfigured to control the signal processing logic 502 to transmit audiodata received from a remote party to one or more communication deviceswithout transmitting the audio data through a vehicle speaker 110.

The various protocols that allow system to transfer information may bestored in devices that store and retrieve information. In FIG. 6 therules or standards that may allow one device to communicate wirelesslywith another device are retained in a memory 600. When a communicationdevice indicates a readiness to receive or send data, the communicationdevice may load one or more device drivers that determine thecommunication protocol. Through signal transmissions and comparisons oneor more protocols may be selected automatically (e.g., plug and play) orby user selection. The wireless protocols may be stored in memorylocations 602, and may include Bluetooth®, 802.11b, Zigbee, WLAN, orIrDa. In other wireless or wired systems, other protocols may be used.

FIG. 7 is a process in which a vehicle communication system exchangesdata with a communication device. At act 700, the vehicle communicationsystem determines whether it recognizes a communication device.Recognition may occur through an analysis of control data. The analysismay be made through a vehicle communication system controller comparingsome or all of the received control data to configuration data stored ina memory space. Alternatively, the controller may search forcommunication devices by periodically broadcasting a control message andwaiting for a return acknowledgement signal from a communication devicethrough an event driven processing and handshake. Alternatively, anautopolling process may be used.

If a communication device is not recognized automatically, thecontroller may check for user input information at act 702. Thecontroller may receive user input information through the vehicle'scommunication bus. If a user has not entered configuration informationat act 702, the vehicle communication system may receive audio data atact 704 through a vehicle microphone or from another vehicle informationsource. The received audio data may be processed by signal processinglogic at act 706. Processing of the audio data may include positive ornegative amplification; filtering; signal conversion; echo cancellation;collection of non-primary audio data, such as meta data; spatialinformation extraction; energy detection; end-pointing; and/or othersignal processing. At act 708, the processed data may be transmittedthrough vehicle loudspeakers. Depending on the source of the input audiodata, the output audio data may be output through one or more of thevehicle loudspeakers.

If a communication device is recognized automatically by the vehiclecommunication system at act 700, or a user inputs configurationinformation at act 702, the vehicle communication system controller mayanalyze the received control data or configuration information at act710 to determine if the communication device is configured with amicrophone. If the communication device does not include a microphone,the vehicle communication system may not decouple a vehicle microphonenear this communication device. Accordingly, at act 712, audio data nearthis communication device is received through a vehicle microphone. Thereceived audio data may be processed by signal processing logic at act714. Processing of the audio data may include positive or negativeamplification; filtering; signal conversion; echo cancellation;collection of non-primary audio data, such as meta data; spatialinformation extraction; energy detection; end-pointing; and/or othersignal processing. At act 716, an audio signal representing theprocessed data may be sent through a wired or wireless medium to one ormore vehicle loudspeakers and/or a communication device loudspeaker. Theaudio signal may be converted into audible sound through the vehicleloudspeakers and/or a communication device loudspeaker.

If at act 710 it is determined that the communication device isconfigured with a microphone, the controller may turn off a vehiclemicrophone and loudspeaker proximately located near this communicationdevice at act 718. At act 720, audio data in near this communicationdevice is received through the communication device's microphone. Thereceived audio data may be processed at act 722. Processing of the audiodata may include positive or negative amplification; filtering; signalconversion; echo cancellation; collection of non-primary audio data,such as meta data; spatial information extraction; energy detection;end-pointing; and/or other signal processing. At act 724, an audiosignal representing the processed data may be sent through a wired orwireless medium to one or more vehicle loudspeakers and/or acommunication device loudspeaker. The audio signal may be converted intoaudible sound through the vehicle loudspeakers and/or a communicationdevice loudspeaker. Some vehicle communication systems may bepre-configured to only operate with communication devices that includeboth a loudspeaker and a microphone, or that only include a loudspeaker.

FIG. 8 is a process that recognizes a wearable personal communicationdevice. At act 800, the vehicle communication system controller receivescontrol data. The control data may be pushed to the controller by thecommunication device, or may be pulled by the communication device inresponse to a polling message transmitted by the vehicle communicationsystem. At act 802, the controller accesses a memory that retains dataidentifying recognizable communication devices. The data may containmanufacturer, model, communication protocol, and/or wireless protocolinformation. At act 804, the controller may compare some or all of thereceived control data to a first accessed memory. If the data stored inthe first accessed memory location matches the control data, the vehiclecommunication system recognizes the communication device, and thecontroller may cause a acknowledge signal to be transmitted to thecommunication device at act 806.

If the data of the first accessed memory location does not match some orall of the control data, the controller may determine whether additionalmemory locations containing pre-stored configuration information existat act 808. If additional pre-stored memory locations are detected, thecontroller may access and compare some or all of the control data to thedata stored in another memory location. The controller may continue toaccess and compare the pre-stored data with some or all of the controldata. If no match is found, the controller may cause a signal to betransmitted at act 810 indicating to a user that a communication deviceis not recognized. This signal may be provided to a user through audiooutput by a vehicle loudspeaker and/or through video data output througha vehicle information source, such a display screen.

FIG. 9 is a process that identifies the location of a wearable personalcommunication device. At act 900, the vehicle communication systemcontroller receives control data from a communication device. Thecontrol data may be pushed to the controller by the communicationdevice, or may be pulled by the communication device in response to apolling message transmitted by the vehicle communication system. At act902, the controller may determine the signal strength of thecommunication device.

The communication device's signal strength may be compared to a firstthreshold at act 904. If the signal strength exceeds the first thresholdvalue, the controller may recognize that the communication device is ina first zone at act 906. At act 908, the controller checks foradditional vehicle sensor data, such as audio data, weight sensor data,seat belt engagement data, and/or vehicle acceleration data. If suchdata is identified, the controller may use this data in combination withthe threshold data to identify a more particular location of thecommunication device at act 910. If additional vehicle sensor data doesnot exist, the vehicle communication system may prompt the user for moreinformation through a vehicle loudspeaker at act 912. Alternatively, thevehicle communication system may prompt the user for more informationthrough a vehicle information source, such a display screen.

If at act 904, the signal strength does not exceed the first threshold,the controller may determine whether the signal strength exceeds asecond threshold value at act 914. If the second threshold value isexceeded, the controller may recognize that the communication device isin a second zone at act 916. The controller may then continue toidentify a more particular location of the communication device. Thenumber of threshold comparisons may be configured to match the number ofzones recognized by a vehicle communication system.

FIG. 10 is an alternative process that identifies the location of awearable personal communication device. At act 1000 speech is detectedby a communication device input. Audio data corresponding to this speechis transmitted to the vehicle communication system's signal processinglogic at act 1002. At act 1004, a vehicle microphone receives speechinput. At act 1006, audio data corresponding to the speech received atthe vehicle microphone is input into the signal processing logic. Thesignal processing logic compares the audio data received from thevehicle microphone and the communication device and compares the audiodata at act 1008 to determine if the audio data is substantiallysimilar. If the audio data is substantially similar, the vehiclemicrophone and/or a vehicle loudspeaker may be decoupled at act 1010 anda communication path may be established with the communication device atact 1012. If the audio data is not substantially similar, the vehiclecommunication system may process the audio data for transmission toseparate outputs at act 1014. Accordingly, the audio data received fromthe communication device may be transmitted to a vehicle loudspeaker,vehicle information source, and/or remote party, and the audio datareceived from the vehicle microphone may be transmitted to acommunication device, a vehicle information source, and/or a remoteparty.

The methods and processes may be encoded in a signal bearing medium, acomputer readable medium such as a memory, programmed within a devicesuch as one or more integrated circuits, or processed by a controller ora computer. If the methods are performed by software, the software mayreside in a memory resident to or interfaced to the signal processinglogic 102 (or 502), the controller 120 (or 504), or any type ofcommunication interface. The memory may include an ordered listing ofexecutable instructions for implementing logical functions. A logicalfunction may be implemented through digital circuitry, through sourcecode, through analog circuitry, or through an analog source such asthrough an electrical, audio, or video signal. The software may beembodied in any computer-readable or signal-bearing medium, for use by,or in connection with an instruction executable system, apparatus, ordevice. Such a system may include a computer-based system, aprocessor-containing system, or another system that may selectivelyfetch instructions from an instruction executable system, apparatus, ordevice that may also execute instructions.

A “computer-readable medium,” “machine-readable medium,”“propagated-signal” medium, and/or “signal-bearing medium” may compriseany means that contains, stores, communicates, propagates, or transportssoftware for use by or in connection with an instruction executablesystem, apparatus, or device. The machine-readable medium mayselectively be, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical,electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device,or propagation medium. A non-exhaustive list of examples of amachine-readable medium would include: an electrical connection“electronic” having one or more wires, a portable magnetic or opticaldisk, a volatile memory such as a Random Access Memory “RAM”(electronic), a Read-Only Memory “ROM” (electronic), an ErasableProgrammable Read-Only Memory (EPROM or Flash memory) (electronic), oran optical fiber (optical). A machine-readable medium may also include atangible medium upon which software is printed, as the software may beelectronically stored as an image or in another format (e.g., through anoptical scan), then compiled, and/or interpreted or otherwise processed.The processed medium may then be stored in a computer and/or machinememory.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many moreembodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of theinvention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except inlight of the attached claims and their equivalents.

1. A method of communicating through a vehicle communication systemassociated with a vehicle, the vehicle including at least a first zoneand a second zone, the method comprising: determining, by a vehiclecommunication system controller, a signal strength of a wearablepersonal communication device; and determining, by the vehiclecommunication system controller, if the wearable personal communicationdevice is in the first zone within the vehicle based, at least in part,on a comparison of the signal strength with a first threshold.
 2. Themethod according to claim 1, the method further including: if thewearable personal communication device is determined to be within thefirst zone, decoupling from signal processing logic at least one of avehicle microphone in the first zone and a vehicle mounted speaker inthe first zone.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the wearablepersonal communication device includes at least one of an acoustic inputdevice and output device, the method further including, if the wearablepersonal communication device is determined to be within the first zone:coupling to signal processing logic at least one of a vehicle speaker ina second zone of the vehicle and a microphone in the second zone of thevehicle; and coupling to the signal processing logic the at least one ofthe acoustic input device and the output device of the wearable personalcommunication device.
 4. The method according to claim 3, furthercomprising: receiving an acoustic signal at the signal processor logicfrom the wearable personal communication device within the vehicle; andgenerating, by the signal processing logic, an acoustic output to thevehicle speaker in the second zone, the acoustic output based on thereceived acoustic signal.
 5. The method according to claim 3, furthercomprising: receiving an acoustic signal at the signal processor logicfrom the microphone; and generating, by the signal processing logic, anacoustic output to the wearable personal communication device with thevehicle, the acoustic output based on the received acoustic signal. 6.The method according to claim 1, wherein determining the signal strengthincludes receiving, at the vehicle communication system controller,control data from the wearable personal communication device.
 7. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein determining, by the vehiclecommunication system controller, if the wearable personal communicationdevice is in a first zone further includes checking vehicle sensor data.8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the vehicle sensor data isat least one of weight sensor data, seat belt engagement data, andvehicle acceleration data.
 9. The method according to claim 1, whereindetermining, by the vehicle communication system controller, if thewearable personal communication device is in a first zone furtherincludes prompting a user of the vehicle for more information.
 10. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising determining, by thevehicle communication system controller, if the wearable personalcommunication device is in the second zone of the vehicle based, atleast in part, on a comparison of the signal strength with a secondthreshold.
 11. A system for communicating in a vehicle, the vehicleincluding at least a first zone and a second zone, the systemcomprising: a vehicle communication system controller, the vehiclesystem controller for determining a signal strength associated with awearable personal communication device, and determining if the wearablepersonal communication device is in the first zone of the vehicle based,at least in part, on a comparison of the signal strength with athreshold.
 12. The system according to claim 11, further comprising: asignal processor; and at least one of a vehicle microphone in the firstzone and a microphone in the first zone, wherein the vehiclecommunication system controller decouples at least one of a vehiclemicrophone in the first zone and a vehicle mounted speaker in the firstzone from the signal processor if the wearable personal communicationdevice is within the first zone.
 13. The system according to claim 11,wherein the wearable personal communication device includes at least oneof an acoustic input device and output device, the system furthercomprising: a signal processor; at least one of a vehicle microphone inthe second zone and a microphone in the second zone, wherein the vehiclecommunication system controller couples the signal processor to at leastone of the vehicle speaker in the second zone and a microphone in thesecond zone if the wearable personal communication device is within thefirst zone, and wherein the vehicle communication system controllercouples the signal processor to the at least one of the acoustic inputdevice and the output device of the wearable personal communicationdevice if the wearable personal communication device is within the firstzone.
 14. The system according to claim 11, further comprising: avehicle sensor operatively coupled to the vehicle system controller, thevehicle communication system controller determining if the wearablepersonal communication device is in the first zone of the vehicle based,at least in part, on vehicle sensor data provided by a vehicle sensor.15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the vehicle sensor is atleast one of a weight sensor, a seat belt engagement sensor, and avehicle acceleration sensor.
 16. A computer program product forcommunicating through a vehicle communication system associated with avehicle, the vehicle including at least a first zone and a second zone,the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer usablemedium having computer readable program code thereon, the computerreadable program code comprising: computer code for determining a signalstrength of a wearable personal communication device; and computer codefor determining if the wearable personal communication device is in thefirst zone within the vehicle, based, at least in part, on a comparisonof the signal strength with a first threshold.
 17. The computer programproduct according to claim 16, further including: computer code for, ifthe wearable personal communication device is within the first zone,decoupling from signal processing logic at least one of a vehiclemicrophone in the first zone and a vehicle mounted speaker in the firstzone.
 18. The computer program product according to claim 16, whereinthe wearable personal communication device includes at least one of anacoustic input device and output device, the computer program productfurther including: program code for, if the wearable personalcommunication device is within the first zone: coupling to signalprocessing logic at least one of a vehicle speaker in a second zone ofthe vehicle and a microphone in the second zone of the vehicle; andcoupling to the signal processing logic the at least one of the acousticinput device and the output device of the wearable personalcommunication device.
 19. The computer program product according toclaim 18, further comprising: program code for receiving an acousticsignal from the wearable personal communication device within thevehicle; and program code for generating an acoustic output to thevehicle speaker in the second zone, the acoustic output based on thereceived acoustic signal.
 20. The computer program product according toclaim 18, further comprising: program code for receiving an acousticsignal from the microphone; and program code for generating an acousticoutput to the wearable personal communication device with the vehicle,the acoustic output based on the received acoustic signal.